First, let’s talk a little bit about Amy’s hockey career.
She started by playing a few games in Hockeyville (Terrace
BC) with our good friend Alli McCullough. Then we moved to Charlottetown and
Amy forgot about hockey for a while. But one day, when I was out at the 70 Mile
Yard Sale looking for gear for my future church hockey linemate Phil Reid, Amy
got the bug again and decided she wanted to play again one day.
Fastforward two years and here we are in Whitehorse. Amy
signed up to play women’s hockey and landed on a team called the Green Beasts.
She then proceeded to score in her first game, and was top-5 in league scoring
for exactly two games! Pretty funny stuff.
Then came the grind of the season, where she battled
migraines and late-night games and all the other frustrations a rookie player
goes through. I wasn’t sure some days what she really thought about the game I
love, but she didn’t quit and kept going to her games.
Then last week the playoffs started (double elimination).
Amy’s team finished second in the regular season to the Red Dragons – a team that only lost five of
35 games.
The two teams met in a playoff game on Tuesday night and Amy’s team lost a
well-played game 2-1, which meant the Dragons were in the final, and the Beasts
had to win another game to have a chance to face them again. (I should also
note that Amy scored her team’s only goal of that game, which had at least one
fan tearing up in the stands.)
The Beasts would win their next game 2-1 to win a chance to
face the Dragons again in the final. Last night’s game was their third in three
nights.
And what a game it was!
End to end action with four goals scored per team… followed
by two penalties in overtime, one for each side. It was really cool to watch. The 5
minute OT was followed by a shootout, the first one in the league this year.
The Beasts’ leading scorer Laura G. scored on her
shot, and goalie Amy G. stopped all three Dragons shooters (including the
league’s leading scorer!) to lead the team to victory. An amazing finish to an awesome
year…..
Amy did pick up assists in that game and the 2-1 semifinal
win, giving her three points in three playoff games. Needless to say, I was
thrilled…..
After the game, we headed off to the local hot springs for a
soak with Amy’s biggest fans (Colin Wassenaar & Kathleen Jarvis), where we rehashed the game over and over. You couldn’t
wipe the smile off of Amy’s face. She talked about the joy she felt in the
middle of the celebratory huddle following her team’s big win, and how much it
meant to contribute to some of her team’s success….
This morning over breakfast, we discussed how it would feel
for me if the Leafs ever won the Stanley Cup, and I think Amy was able to
understand that feeling a little more after her own team’s success…
Still, I think the best part about all of this is….. Amy
told me at points this year that she wasn’t sure if hockey was her sport, and
wasn’t sure if she would play again next year.
However, today we stumbled upon a hockey gear sale at
Walmart and Amy was thrilled to pick up new hockey pants and gloves (for next
season?).
Things are looking up….
Thanks for reading.
Marcel
